The aim of this research was to compare the effects of a technique-specific high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol vs. traditional taekwondo training on physical fitness and body composition in taekwondo athletes, as well as to analyse the inter-individual response. Utilising a parallel controlled design, sixteen male and female athletes (five females and 11 males) were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG) that participated in the technique-specific HIIT and a control group (CG) that participated in traditional taekwondo training. Both groups trained three days/week for four weeks. Squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 5-metre sprint (5M), 20-metre shuttle run (20MSR), taekwondo specific agility test (TSAT), multiple frequency speed of kick test (FSKT_MULT), total kicks, and kick decrement index (KDI), as well as body composition were evaluated. Results indicate that there are no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the factors group and time factor and group by time interaction (p > 0.05). Although percentage and effect size increases were documented for post-intervention fitness components in TSAT, total kicks, KDI, and 20MSR, responders and non-responders were also documented. In conclusion, a HIIT protocol based on taekwondo-specific technical movements does not report significant differences in fitness and body composition compared to traditional taekwondo training, nor inter-individual differences between athletes.

Physical inactivity is a major health concern, associated with the development of several non-communicable diseases and with an increased mortality rate. Therefore, promoting active lifestyles has become a crucial public health necessity for enhancing overall health and quality of life. The WHO guidelines for physical activity (PA) present valuable contributions in this respect; however, we believe that greater specificity should be added or complemented towards physical exercise (PE) testing, prescription and programming in future recommendations. In this review article, we suggest simple and practical tools accessible to the entire population to improve the specificity of this approach, highlighting aspects of PE programming used by trained subjects. By adopting these suggestions, exercise professionals, clinicians and physical trainers can optimise the current general PA recommendations towards PE prescription to improve fitness status and encourage PE adherence in the general population.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a telerehabilitation program for COVID-19 survivors on their functionality, aerobic capacity, upper-lower body strength and skeletal muscle mass index. Methods: Fifty patients (22 M); age 54.1±15.4 who became ill with COVID-19 during 2020 completed a 24-session telerehabilitation program. The following measures were taken: Barthel’s index, two minutes step test (2MST), elbow flexion one-repetition maximal (1RM), short physical performance battery (SPPB), hand grip strength, 30-second chair stand, skeletal muscle index (SMI), body fat percentage, resting pulse, arterial blood pressure, and pulse oximetry. Results: There was a significant increase in the Barthel index (p?0.0001), 2MST (p?0.0001), 1RM elbow flexion (p?0.0001), SPPB (p?0.0001), hand grip strength (p?0.0001), 30-second chair stand (p?0.0001), and SMI (p?0.0001). Conclusion: A 24 session in-home telerehabilitation program promoted the recovery of physical independence and increases in skeletal muscle mass index and physical fitness.

The authors compared the effects of bodyweight resistance training at moderate- or high-speed conditions on muscle power, velocity of movement, and functional performance in older females. In a randomized, single-blinded noncontrolled trial, participants completed 12 weeks (three sessions/week) of bodyweight resistance training at high (n = 14; age = 70.6 ± 4.3 years) or moderate (n = 12; age = 72.8 ± 4.2 years) speeds. Data were analyzed with an analysis of variance (Group × Time) with α level set at <.05. After the intervention, timed up and go test performance (p < .05) and the rising from a chair test mean (22.4%) and maximal velocity (28.5%), mean (24.4%) and maximal power (27.7%), normalized mean (25.1%), and normalized maximal power (28.5%) increased in the high-speed group (p < .05). However, the moderate-speed group achieved no improvements (Δ6.7–14.4%; p > .2). The authors conclude that high-speed bodyweight resistance training is an effective and economically practical strategy to improve the functional capacity of older women relevant to daily life activities.

Lepidium meyenii Walp (LmW) or Maca, including its bioactive components such as macamides, among others, has demonstrated antioxidant effects. However, the effect size (ES) of LmW on oxidative stress has not been qualitatively described and calculated. The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to review and qualitatively describe the studies published up to 2023 that supplemented LmW to control cellular oxidative stress; the secondary objective was to calculate the ES of the different interventions. The search was designed following the PRISMA^® guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses and performed in the Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and MEDLINE until 2023. The selection of studies included randomized controlled trials, with tests and post-tests, both in vitro and in vivo in animals and humans. The methodological quality and risk of bias were evaluated with the CAMARADES tool. The main variables were reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde. The analysis was conducted with a pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) through Hedges’ g test (95% CI). Eleven studies were included in the systematic review and eight in the meta-analysis. They revealed a small effect for reduced glutathione (SMD = 0.89), a large effect for glutathione peroxidase (SMD = 0.96), a moderate effect for superoxide dismutase (SMD = 0.68), and a moderate effect for malondialdehyde (SMD = −0.53). According to the results, the phytochemical compounds of LmW effectively controlled cellular oxidative stress, mainly macamides. It was also determined that a higher dose of LmW generated a greater antioxidant effect. However, information concerning humans is scarce.